They were tempted by the prospect of an easy conquest and a large booty, as the Egyptians were very wealthy and not very warlike. They therefore authorized Gilbert to raise money by loans from the bankers of Genoa and Venice. With this assistance the Hospitallers enrolled a large auxiliary force of mercenaries, and prepared to take the field with an array far more numerous than they had hitherto been able to muster.
The Templars, when called on by Aimeric to join his ranks, refused the request after a lengthened discussion, alleging the same reasons as had been urged by many of the Hospitallers then considering the question. There is no doubt that in their decision they were far more just and honest than the others. There are not wanting those who assert that this scrupulousness was in reality based on the fact that they were unable to take the field with so imposing a force as that which was to serve under Gilbert d’Ascali, and that in consequence their jealousy prompted them to hold aloof. Be this as it may, there is no doubt that they were entirely justified in their refusal, and the events which followed fully proved the wisdom of the decision.
Almeric, in no wise daunted by the defection of the Templars, led the way into Egypt with the Hospitallers in his train. Their first operation when there was the siege of Belbeis. This town was well fortified and garrisoned, still Almeric decided upon attempting to carry it by assault. The slaughter was prodigious on both sides, but Almerio at length succeeded in forcing his way into the place, when a scene of carnage and licened brutality ensued, such as was in those days the usual result of a successful assault. In this town Almeric captured the son and the nephew of the caliph, as well as a number of other prisoners of importance.
It had formed one of the terms of the agreement entered into between Almeric and d’Ascali that upon the capture of Belbeis it should become the property of the Order of St. John, and the king, true to his word, lost no time in handing it over to them. D’Ascali left a large garrison composed of his own followers within its walls, he himself with the main body of his forces accompanying the king in the further prosecution of his enterprise.
